“Then someone signed your name,” Arthur said quietly.

“Or someone faked an administrative release with the bank officer.”

“Can you stop the transfer?” I asked.

“Not without a formal audit request,” Arthur said, opening his desk drawer and sliding a retainer agreement across the desk.

“My initial fee is seven hundred dollars.

I need that to file an emergency freeze with First National Bank.”

I took out my checkbook and wrote the check before he had finished putting his pen away.

My hand was steady, but my thumb rested on the band of my silver wristwatch, feeling the tick of the gears inside.